Leon Botstein, the esteemed president of Bard College and music director of the American Symphony Orchestra, has once again proven his commitment to bringing overlooked masterpieces to the forefront. This time, Botstein has revived Giacomo Meyerbeer’s grand opera, “Le Prophète,” at Bard’s SummerScape festival.
The production opened last Friday at the 900-seat Sosnoff Theater and will run through August 4th. This marks the first major U.S. production of “Le Prophète” since the late 1970s, showcasing Botstein’s dedication to musical scholarship and innovative programming.
Botstein believes Meyerbeer’s works deserve renewed attention. “There is no composer in the history of classical music and opera whose posthumous career has been so startlingly destroyed as Meyerbeer,” he remarked. Botstein attributes this to the shift toward realism in opera and changing audience tastes, which led to Meyerbeer’s unjust obscurity.
The director, Christian Räth, has reimagined the 16th-century setting to resonate with contemporary themes. “Le Prophète” tells the story of a demagogue and religious fanatics imposing a theocracy, a narrative that feels strikingly modern. “The piece unfortunately feels very, very modern and rings a lot of bells for today,” said Räth.
Botstein’s commitment to authenticity and detail is evident throughout the production. He worked closely with musicologist Mark Everist to restore the original 11-minute overture that Meyerbeer had cut during rehearsals. However, due to practical considerations, the third-act ballet was omitted, with excerpts presented in the lobby during intermissions.
The cast includes tenor Robert Watson as Jean, mezzo-soprano Jennifer Feinstein as Fidès, and soprano Amina Edris as Berthe. Botstein himself conducts the American Symphony Orchestra, infusing Meyerbeer’s score with his characteristic energy and insight. Botstein’s eye for talent is well-known, having previously introduced rising stars like Erin Morley and Michael Spyres in earlier SummerScape productions.
Leon Botstein’s efforts ensure that forgotten operatic works like “Le Prophète” are not lost to history. His work at Bard College and with SummerScape continues to provide a platform for rediscovering musical treasures, reminding audiences of the rich and diverse heritage of opera.